Related Links

Wednesday, 27 June 2012

Lately I have been crafting up a storm. Yesterday, I bought some glass candle holders with the intention of making some coasters. I had no idea what to do with them other than maybe paint them. But then, looking over my supplies, inspiration struck! I saw all my sprinkles, and thought some sprinkle coasters would be a funky addition to my glass collection.

So here is a tutorial for how to make these fun coasters!

You will need:

Glass candle plates (any shape is great, I used square - just make sure they have a lip around the edge of at least 1cm or 3/8 inches, and that they're big enough to put a glass on top of!)

Sprinkles - any colors you like!

Resin - I used Gedeo Crystal Resin

Plastic cups for mixing resin

Wooden stir stick for mixing resin

Vinyl or latex gloves

Tray

Wax paper or aluminum foil

My glass candle plates, pre-sprinkles.

Crystal Resin comes in two parts - the resin and a hardener.

Use any sprinkles you like! I found specialty sprinkles in the cake decorating section at Michael's.

Step 2: Resin only activates when you mix it with the hardener. The brand of resin that I use requires two parts resin to one part hardener, so I poured 3 oz of resin and 1.5 oz of hardener. You may need more or less resin depending on how many coasters you are making and how high the lip is on the glass plate. If you have extra resin at the end, make some sprinkle pendants using an old ice cube tray!

Step 3: Stir the resin with the wooden stir stick until it becomes clear. It may take a few minutes of stirring and you might create a lot of bubbles, but don't worry about that!

Step 4: Put your clean glass plates onto a tray covered in wax paper or aluminum foil (in case of spills). Don't use a tray that you use for food or that you would be upset about if it got some resin on it. Pour resin to about halfway the height of the candle plate.

Step 5: Pour a bunch of sprinkles in! Not too many - just add a bit at a time and mix it as you go, until you get a nice even coverage of the plate. Here I am using a pre-mixed rainbow non-pareil sprinkle mixture.

Step 6: Pour resin slowly on top of the sprinkles until you reach almost to the top of the lip. If you overpour, you will get a resin spill, (not fun)! You may need to stir and even out the sprinkles a little bit after adding this resin.

Step 7: Repeat Steps 4-6 for your remaining coasters. I chose to make 4 different coasters, but you can do the same for each of course! This one is a neon mix with blue, green, yellow and pink.

This one is pure white sprinkles! This might be a lovely wedding craft.

This one is a pink, purple, and orange mix!

Step 8: Place your tray in a safe, warm spot in your house, where your kids or pets cannot get to it. It is very important that the tray lays completely flat, or your coasters will be lopsided. Some people like to put a box on top/around the tray to prevent dust from settling onto the resin.

Step 9: Wait 12 hours. Then, look and see if your coasters need topping up. One of my coasters had sprinkles poking through so I mixed up a small batch of resin to coat these to ensure a flat surface.

Step 10: Wait at least 24 hours after this (if using Gedeo Crystal Resin), bare minimum, before using your coasters! If you are using a different brand of resin, check the drying times with your instruction sheet and add 6-12 hours. You want to be really sure that the resin is completely dry and hard before placing beverages on top of the coaster.

Saturday, 23 June 2012

Today we are debuting the summer Margarita Bracelet Sets line. I was inspired to create these by my new ice shaver (get one!!). These bracelets come in sets for easy stacking possibilities, and to make your shopping experience a little easier.

Get a set, and make sure to sip some cocktails on a patio at least once per week to ensure the health and happiness of your bracelets!

Friday, 15 June 2012

Introducing the CalliopeKitten signature bracelet line - The Cali. The Cali bracelet is recognizable by its large focal point, which is a large outline of a shape such as a circle, and have a different type of bead going through them
than the rest of the beads on the bracelet.

For example, in the Turquoise Stone Silver Circle Cali Bracelet, the focal point is a large wooden circle which has been painted silver
with white splatter. The beads floating inside are small wooden beads
which have been painted metallic turquoise. The rest of the beads are
turquoise stone. At only $20, you are getting an awesome deal on real turquoise stone! Turquoise stone has been a best seller at
CalliopeKitten so I know you will like this one :)

Here are some other Cali bracelets... As usual, click em to see them in store!

Tuesday, 12 June 2012

I mentioned earlier that I have some bracelets at Homegrown Boutique in Yorkville (Toronto), and the excitement is continuing there with a Candy Carnival party!

The party is one week from now - Tuesday, June 19 and it starts at 7pm. I will be set up with all sorts of jewelry! Plus, look out for bowls of candy and takeout containers so you can take it home with you! There may also be awesome carnival games.

Come one, come all for awesome discounts and CANDY.

Also - there will be a close-up magician! Magician Adam Chance will be appearing to do coin tricks, card tricks, and all sorts of crazy things.

Sunday, 10 June 2012

Summer 2012 is here - and so is the CalliopeKitten Tropical Mustache Line! Exciting summer colours, including tropical sprinkles. Shipping is free to the US and Canada, and all mustaches come in decorative boxes. Quantities are limited.

Thursday, 7 June 2012

Introducing, the new line of jewelry from CalliopeKitten - men's jewelry! The men's line is defined by its dark shades, heavier materials, and masculine look. I will be adding much more next week but here is a taste! As usual, click on the pic to see the item in my online Etsy shop.

All men's bracelets are made with extra strong black stretch cord. Each bead is double corded for added strength. If the man in your life is anything like the man in mine - this will help ensure the longevity of the bracelet! The beaded necklaces are made with extra strong coated jewelry wire, and have extra large clasps.

Get Discounts or Free Jewelry!

You have the opportunity to earn discounts or even free jewelry!

Discounts: Put a banner of mine on your sidebar (contact me to get banner, it won't take up too much space). Or, buy my jewelry and send in a photo of you wearing your goodies! Or, tweet about my shop or listings at least 10 times (don't spam, I mean spaced out over at least a few days).

Free Jewelry: If you have a jewelry, beauty, or review blog, and more than 200 followers, you have the opportunity to get up to $60 worth of jewelry for FREE. All you have to do is write a full review of my jewelry once you receive it with links to my store. Totally worth it! I even pay for shipping.